Safety Tips on Sharing The Road with Trucks – A Brief Guide for Newbie Drivers
Understand Blind Spots
The first thing you should know when sharing the road with trucks is that trucks and buses have blind spots, which are the zones where the drivers cannot see you. So, when a truck moves over into your lane, the trucker might not have seen you in their mirror.
This aspect is also known as the no zone. Usually, there are four blind spots for large trucks and buses.
The No-Zone on The Driver’s Side
The first blind spot is at the driver’s side. The second blind spot is right at the front of the truck. Another blind spot is on the right side of the driver. The last blind spot is at the back of the truck. You should keep in mind that the truck driver or a bus driver can only see you in their mirror. On that note, if you cannot see the face of the trucker or the bus driver, they very certainly cannot see you.
The No-Zone on The Driver’s Left Side
Once you enter the left side of the truck, which is the driver’s side of the truck – you are no longer in their mirror, which means that they cannot see you. So, you must avoid getting in this zone and this blind spot. Ideally, you should drive farther back so that you can be in the driver’s sight.
Now, while moving towards the front on the driver’s side of the truck, you are actually driving in the no-zone where, sooner or later, an accident is destined to happen. Remember – this is the no-zone because you are no longer in the driver’s mirror, and you are no longer in sight.
How to Overtake the Truck Safely
When overtaking a truck on the left, it is in your best interest to keep moving and pass the truck as soon as you can. The worst you can do is to linger along the side of the big truck. If anything develops on the right side of the trucker and they need to take evasive action, you have literally boxed them in, and you have stayed on their left side without them knowing.
This example perfectly illustrates why you have to keep moving instead of lingering on the driver’s side.
Always Keep Clear of the Truck’s Front
Always keep clear of the front of a large truck. As you already know, trucks are heavier than cars, and they need extra distance to stop. Essentially, a truck can weigh as much as eighty thousand pounds and be as long as a football field. Yes, you read this right. This aspect indicates why you have to be extra careful when sharing the road with a truck.
Trucks are also taller than normal cars – almost as tall as twenty feet. The hood of a truck is essentially higher than the roof of a car. On that note, if you make the mistake of cutting in front of the truck, the trucker will miss you out and not see you.
Also, keep in mind that the right side of the truck is the most critical. The reason is that the no-zone on the right side of the truck is way bigger than the no-zone on the left side. The no-zone on the right side of the truck stretches out over multiple lanes on a highway.
Make Sure the Trucker Can See You
Now, as we mentioned before, the trucker can see you when you are driving behind the truck, which is why coming from behind is okay. But – you need to maintain sufficient distance. Also, if you plan to overtake the truck and you approach the right side of the truck – you are no longer in the trucker’s rear mirror.
The rule that you must follow when driving behind a truck is that if you cannot see their face – they cannot see you.
The Golden Rule: Never Tailgate A Truck
Large trucks have a no-zone or a blind spot at the rear of their vehicle. So, the worst you can do is tailgate a truck, as you don’t know what’s happening in front of the truck. If the trucker pulls the brakes suddenly, you might not have sufficient time to react, which can then lead to an accident.
In case you get into an accident, it is in your best interest to get in touch with a trailer accident attorney in your state, such as the Maryland Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorneys, if you reside in Maryland. The attorney will provide you with the much-needed legal help in acquiring the financial compensation you need for your injuries or – if the truck accident was fatal – the death of your loved ones.
Typically, the compensation also includes financial compensation for future lost wages, mental distress, emotional distress, medical expenses, and other pain and suffering.
How to Let The Truck Pass You Safely
At this point, you might be wondering what happened when the large truck passed your car. When the driver passes your car while you are in its no-zone on the right side, the driver cannot see you. The reason why the trucker cannot see you is because you are not in their mirror.
Of course, the trucker knows that you are there because they saw you when they were passing you. However, while they are passing your car, you must keep in mind that you are not in their mirror.
The best and safest thing you can do is to maintain your speed and let the truck continue to pass you. Eventually, you will see their face, which is also when the trucker can see you. The rule is as simple as this: when you can see the driver’s face, they can see you, too.
Allow the truck to go farther down the highway to complete its passing move. Simultaneously, you will be leaving the no-zone as well as leaving the no-zone towards the rear of the truck.
